ABOUT DAN

THE CHIORBOLI STORY

Background

Dan Chiorboli is a South African citizen based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dan was born in Ferrara, Italy and grew up and schooled in Durban, South Africa. He is a Musician, Producer, Event Conceptualiser and Festival Director with extensive experience in the Business Sector.

As a musician

Dan’s deep-rooted love for music traces back to his childhood, inspired by his classically trained pianist grandmother. At her insistence, he began formal studies in drums and classical percussion at an early age. His musical journey commenced in the Durban Youth Orchestra, where he also learned to read music. At the age of fifteen, he performed publicly for the first time with Cannon, a big band led by his tutor and mentor, Australian Jim Bailey, specializing in jazz-rock styles akin to Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago. This formative experience ignited his passion for rhythm, leading to his involvement with the popular Durban percussion group, Interitmo.

Further honing his hybrid drum set and hand percussion technique, he joined the renowned pianist Joe Delew’s Brazilian Project. The group performed in jazz clubs across South Africa, as well as on international stages like the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2009. A career highlight occurred when the group supported Brazilian legend Airto Moreira during his South African tour. During this tour, Dan interviewed Airto Moreira for the SABC Jazz Series, a significant moment in his life.

In 1981, he co-founded the groundbreaking group Uptown Rhythm Dogs alongside Neill Solomon and Tony Hunter. This band was among the first in South Africa to integrate global music styles into mainstream rock. After extensive touring across the country, they supported American singer-songwriter Janis Ian on her national tour. Dan also produced Neill Solomon’s critically acclaimed album, Gathering of the Beasts, which focuses on themes of environmental conservation.

Over his career, Dan has collaborated with artists from across the globe and contributed to more than 230 albums. Some notable collaborations include working with Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), Black Coffee, Ray Phiri, Jovanotti, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Sergio Dias (Os Mutantes). On international stages, he has shared performances with legends such as Ginger Baker (Cream), Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joe Cocker, and Janis Ian.

In exploring Latin and Brazilian musical traditions, Dan wrote, directed, and performed in successful musical revues such as Sounds of Brazil, Latin Heat, and Island Rhythms with the Joe Delew Brazilian Project. These achievements led to the formation of the 16-piece Latin showband, Los Cucarachos, which gained popularity in the ballroom dancing circuit.

His 2002 collaboration with Brazilian guitarist Sergio Dias resulted in Song of the Leopard, an album blending South African and Brazilian musical styles. He performed at prestigious events such as the Guinness Jazz Festival in Johannesburg and Rock in Rio at Ipanema Beach, Brazil.

Among his many achievements, Dan co-founded The African Gypsies alongside Stimela founder and Paul Simon collaborator Ray Phiri. This all-star ensemble featured distinguished artists, including Phil Manzanera as a guest. The group performed extensively, including appearances at WOMAD festivals internationally. Together with Ray Phiri, he also established the Ray Phiri Arts Institute to support emerging musicians in Mpumalanga.

Other notable endeavours include collaborations with DJ Black Coffee, The Runaway Train Cult, contributions to music for The Sharks rugby team, including the anthemic We are Black, We are White song and co-producing Durban’s official song with Ladysmith Black Mambazo for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Dan is currently a member of The Runaway Train Cult, a Johannesburg-based band that fuses Gypsy, New Orleans, Appalachian, and African influences into a distinctive musical blend.

Awesome Africa Music Festival

Dan is arguably best known as the founder and festival director of the Awesome Africa Music Festival, a pioneering “World Music” festival based in Durban since 1999. The festival has showcased 191 international artists from 29 countries and 574 South African artists. He played an instrumental role in its artistic direction, conceptualization, fundraising, stakeholder management, and financial administration. The festival has been crucial in mentoring emerging artists, a passion he continues to pursue.

Other Events

Dan’s expertise in conceptualization and production extends far beyond Awesome Africa and WOMAD, having played a pivotal role in numerous major events. His impressive portfolio includes the three FIFA 2010 World Cup Fan Parks (North Beach, Umlazi & KwaMashu), the FIFA 2010 World Cup Preliminary Draw, and the B.A.T. Indian Ocean Jazz Festival. He has also contributed to landmark events such as the Artists Against Apartheid Concert, Rock Against Racism Concert, Living Treasures Millennium Celebrations, and the ANC Freedom Charter 50-year Celebration. His influence in global music festivals is further underscored by his work on the B.E.T. (Black Entertainment Television USA) Jazz Festival, B.E.T. Jamaica Jazz Festival, Rock da Beach, and his role as curator for the South African contingent to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2004. Additionally, his tenure as Vice President of the inaugural Indian Ocean Music Alliance solidified his impact on the international festival scene.

In 2009, collaborating with explorer Kingsley Holgate, Dan conceptualized and produced the musical component of the Boundless Southern Africa expedition, a groundbreaking initiative promoting conservation awareness across Transfrontier Conservation Areas. This project further deepened his dedication to wildlife and environmental advocacy.

Honoured in song

The internationally acclaimed Italian group, The Modena City Ramblers, recorded a song titled Stelle Sul Mare. This poignant piece reflects the struggles of immigrants seeking a better life and draws inspiration from the story of Dan’s family, who embarked on a journey from Italy by sea in search of new opportunities—ultimately settling in South Africa.

WOMAD (World of music, arts & dance)

Dan’s company, Awesome Africa Concert Ventures, holds the exclusive rights to the prestigious WOMAD Festival in South Africa, where he serves as Festival Director. Founded by Peter Gabriel in 1982, WOMAD has captivated audiences in 32 countries worldwide. With first-hand experience performing at 13 international WOMAD Festivals, Dan has firmly established the brand in Cape Town and the Western Cape, is actively building a national presence across South Africa, and is spearheading its expansion throughout Sub-Saharan Africa

The WOMAD South Africa Safari, held annually during Heritage Month, has gained national prominence, with post-COVID events resuming in 2022 and continuing in 2023, 2024 & 2025. Rooted in job creation, humanitarian ideals, cultural tourism, and workshop driven community upliftment, the festival promotes emerging artists on the global stage. Through music, literature, poetry, and storytelling, WOMAD SA fosters vital discussions on violence prevention and mental health awareness, transforming each event into a movement that inspires healing, cultural exchange, and social cohesion.

Project Rhino

Dan is a Global Ambassador for Kingsley Holgate’s Project Rhino, a coalition fighting to protect KwaZulu-Natal’s rhinos. He joined the Boundless Southern Africa Expedition—a 9,000km journey across 9 countries and 30 national parks—rooted in Nature, Culture, and Community. Over 100 days, the team engaged tens of thousands of rural residents, delivering mobile libraries, lap-desks for schools, and WHO-approved LifeStraw® purifiers to improve education and health.

PANEX

Dan serves as a board member of PANEX (Pan African Arts Expo), a Brussels-based community organization under the NAMUN Group. PANEX is dedicated to bridging African and European music and art professionals, fostering collaboration and cultural exchange across continents.

Arts Connect Africa

Dan is a founding member of Arts Connect Africa, a diverse organization that celebrates Africa’s rich musical heritage by fostering collaboration between music industry professionals and cultural enthusiasts from Africa and Latin America.

Film Contributions

Dan’s foray into film began with contributions to Point of Impact (1993) and The Gods Must Be Crazy (remake 1999). Over the years, he has provided percussion and atmospheric effects for over 100 films and documentaries. During the COVID pandemic, Dan contributed musical interludes to Deon Meyer’s Trackers series and both iterations of Chasing the Sun on DSTV, chronicling the Springboks’ World Cup triumph.

The Liberation Project

Dan envisioned and co-produced The Liberation Project, a powerful musical initiative shaped by his Italian heritage of partisan resistance fighters and his activism during South Africa’s apartheid era. The resulting triple album, Songs That Made Us Free – South Africa-Italy-Cuba, reinterprets traditional freedom songs from these three nations, honouring the brave individuals who fought for liberation and preserving their musical legacy as a testament to the cost of freedom.

Featuring 142 musicians from 18 countries—including Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), Juan de Marcos Gonzales (Buena Vista Social Club), N’Faly Kouyate (Afro-Celt Sound System), and Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers)—the triple album was launched in May 2018 at Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Theatre. The project culminated in a 21-concert tour of Italy in 2019, backed by South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts & Culture and the High Commission in Rome.

The Solidarity Express

Expanding on The Liberation Project, The Solidarity Express embraces a broader and more commercially accessible approach, celebrating South Africa’s resilience and fostering hope for its youth. The debut album, Radio Ubuntu, brought together an eclectic international lineup and premiered during COVID-19 through a streamed concert sponsored by the National Arts Council, raising funds for local musicians. Virtual contributors included Bonnie Raitt, Tim Finn, Phil Manzanera, Cisco Bellotti, and Juan de Marcos of Buena Vista Social Club.

The upcoming album, Strike a Rock, set for release in Women’s Month 2026, honours the historic 1956 Women’s March to Pretoria and confronts gender-based violence and femicide. Each track pairs a female artist with The Solidarity Express, amplifying voices and advocating for change through music.

Recent Work

Dan had the honour of conceptualizing and co-producing Hello Hello, a critically acclaimed collaboration between the legendary African Jazz Pioneers and The Mahotella Queens, alongside two-time Grammy Award winner John Lindemann for Gallo Music.

Sisonke Bafo is a re-imagined album and mini-documentary paying tribute to The Indestructible Beat of Soweto, Volume One, a groundbreaking cassette released in the mid-1980s. The young Soweto artists involved in the project drew direct inspiration from its distinctive sound and historical significance—the same influence that sparked Paul Simon’s Graceland album.

Following a cultural exchange with the Mid Atlantic Foundation (USA), Dan was commissioned by D’DAT, a Navajo Native American group from New Mexico, to produce Kindred Spirits, an album blending Navajo chants and rhythms with the voices of five Soweto-based rappers. The track Grandma’s Song, featuring Nelisiwe Mtsweni, received a Grammy nomination in the World Music category and was later included in a Fox TV documentary showcasing Navajo culture.

Forthcoming Projects

WOMAD South Africa returns in 2026 for its fifth chapter during Heritage Month, weaving its magic across some of Cape Town’s most cherished spaces. From the lively pulse of the Artscape Theatre Complex, the iconic V & A Waterfront to the timeless grandeur of St George’s Cathedral, the tranquil beauty of Silvermist Wine Estate each venue across the city sets the stage for a celebration of sound, and storytelling. Alongside the Desmond Tutu United 4 Humanity Concert, seven interactive Kidz 4 Kulture community outreach workshops ensure that the festival’s spirit resonates far beyond its stages, fostering meaningful engagement and transformation.

The WOMAD Karoo-Winelands Cultural Experience invites adventurers and art lovers on a journey through South Africa’s iconic landscapes. Launched in October 2025, the initiative spanned the winding R62, the lush Winelands, and the rugged Overberg, weaving together music, heritage, and curated travel. Concerts, workshops, and immersive experiences animated towns like Stellenbosch, Stanford, and Barrydale, each adding its own rhythm to the story. In 2026, the spotlight shifts to the Swartland, highlighting Riebeek Kasteel, Malmesbury, and Greyton.

Die Rebelle, now in planning and pre‑production, marks a bold shift in Dan’s work. Co‑executive produced with Dan Roberts, the documentary and soundtrack explore the history of SAN Khoisan and Afrikaans‑speaking outlaws, tracing their origins to slavery and Cape Colony colonization.

Cultural exchanges and artistic collaborations for 2027 are actively being developed with projects across multiple international festivals. These include the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Ferrara Buskers Festival in Italy and the Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba.

Musical Supervision (together with Dan Roberts) for Black to White, a film on the South African 1974 Embassy Cup Football Games—a profound exploration of the political tensions and unity among footballers of all backgrounds. The story unfolds to the electrifying soundtrack of this transformative era, capturing the spirit of the time through music that reflects both its turbulence and triumphs.

Again with Dan Roberts, Dan is producing Lotus Rising, the forthcoming album from singer-songwriter Pema Africa, a vibrant blend of English, Afrikaans, and Tibetan influences.

Beyond the studio, he continues to perform live with both The Runaway Train Cult and The Solidarity Express.

Produced by Awesome Africa Concert Ventures, Strike a Rock: A Celebration of Human Rights and Indigenous History will, on Human Rights Day, March 21, 2026, transform the Basotho Cultural Village in Qwa Qwa into a powerful fusion of heritage and activism. Inspired by the cry of the 1956 Women’s March, the event confronts gender-based violence through music, dance, and storytelling, with The Solidarity Express, local youth, and women artists weaving ancestral wisdom into human rights advocacy. Preceded by a welcome at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre, this vibrant gathering stands as a bold reclamation of culture and dignity.

The Cape Town Buskers Festival, set for late October 2026, powered by the Awesome Kulture Foundation and the V&A Waterfront, will light up Africa’s most visited cultural precinct with a dazzling mix of musicians, comedians, circus acts, magicians, puppeteers, and experimental performers from across the globe. Featuring 40 artists and more than 200 free shows, the festival embraces the tradition of hatting and is fast establishing itself as an unmissable annual fixture on both Cape Town’s and the world’s cultural calendar

In the Business World

Alongside his cultural pursuits, Dan built a remarkable 17-year career in the corporate sector, culminating in his role as Sales and Marketing Director for Bidvest Waltons KZN and his position on the KZN Board. Throughout his tenure, he established himself as a forward-thinking innovator and a motivating force in the industry, frequently introducing bold, unconventional strategies that delivered tangible results. Operating in a demanding business environment, Dan honed his ability to meet tight deadlines, set and exceed ambitious targets, navigate human resource challenges, and lead a dynamic team of 125 professionals with a focus on performance and excellence. In 2018, he chose to step away from the corporate world, embracing a new path centred on creativity and personal fulfillment.

As a Guest Lecturer

Dan served as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg between 2022 and 2025, delivering lectures to postgraduate students. Additionally, he provides voluntary lectures at the Academy of Sound Engineers.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES & FAVOURITES

All Time Greats: Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Fela Kuti, Joni Mitchell & James Brown.   

Percussionists: Airto Moreira, Armando Peraza, Karl Perrazo, Miguel “Anga” Diaz & Giovanni Hidalgo.

Drummers: Sly Dunbar, Buddy Rich, Paul Motian, Clyde Stubblefield & Zigaboo Modaliste.

Producers: Ahmet Ertegun, Quincy Jones, Daniel Lanois, George Martin & Jerry Wexler.

Guitarists: Mike Bloomfield, Paco de Lucia, Leo Nocentelli, Wilko Johnson, Phil Manzanera & Sonny Landreth.

Bass Players: Ron Carter, Bootsy Collins, George Porter & Robbie Shakespeare.

Keyboard Players: Garth Hudson, Herbie Hancock, Monty Alexander, Joe Zawinul & Black Moses Ngwenya.

Groups: Irakere, Buena Vista Social Club, Traffic, The Band, Weather Report & Little Feat.

Horn Players: Paquito d’Rivera, Roland Kirk, Miles Davis & Arturo Sandoval.

Composers: Ennio Morricone & Juan de Marcos Gonzales.  

Female Vocalists: Aretha Franklin, Emmylou Harris, Sister Rosetta Tharpe & Celia Cruz.  

Male Vocalists: James Brown, Joe Cocker, Salif Keita, Johnny Cash, Peter Gabriel, Otis Redding & Van Morrison. 

Songwriters: Steve Earle, Joni Mitchell, Robbie Robertson, Ian Anderson & Lennon-McCartney. 

Favourite Film / Series: Cinema Paradiso, Catedral del Mar & Peaky Blinders.